Community

People often tell me how “brave” I am for putting stuff out there.

I don’t really see it as brave.

I guess it started out as trying to let moms know they aren’t alone in their struggles with motherhood or depression or marriage or weight loss or whatever.

The more I shared, the more I wanted to be honest not just with other moms, but with myself.

But if I’m really going to be honest, now I also share things for selfish reasons.

Because every time I put something out there that other people might think, Holy shit, I can’t believe she just shared that, I get dozens of emails and messages from people telling me they’ve been in the same exact situation and can totally relate to what I’m going through.

And then I don’t feel alone.

And I just want to share that I have received a whole bunch of messages from people who live in Upstate New York who live very close to where Number 3 is swimming next weekend, and they have all offered me either a place to stay or help if Number 3 has an emergency and some people have even offered to come cheer on Number 3!

And that is why I sometimes put the stuff out there that I do.

How amazing is it that I have support not only for myself, but also my kids!

I am so grateful!

I just wanted to share that.

I just wanted to share that putting myself out there and allowing myself to be vulnerable has not opened me up to judgment and criticism (well it has a little bit but those people are assholes and I don’t give a shit about them) but it has helped me build a strong community and support system around my family.

I don’t know if you remember, but when I was at the Mom Conference in Ottawa, a blog reader who came to hear me speak left an envelope for Jo with a note in it along with $114 US dollars that she had left over from a family trip down to Disney World.

She wrote on her note, “I know you will use this money well — even if that means a family dinner out with your awesome gang…”

Well, you know what? That money is going to allow me to drive the 6 hour trip up to Webster, NY, watch Number 3 swim on Friday, and then stay over that night in a hotel. And I’m going to bring Number 4 with me so we can watch the meet together.

And if any of you up there in that area know of a good (and inexpensive) place to get something to eat that night, I’d love for you to join me and Number 4 for some dinner and a few beers (no beers for Number 4… just for me) where I can thank you in person.

As for those of you who don’t live near there but who are a part of this not-at-all average but awesome and supportive community, well, we’ll just all have to do a virtual cheers next Friday.

Again, thank you all.

Thank you for your support and your encouragement and your prayers and positive thoughts and for, well, just everything.

This is a really great place to be vulnerable.